Burden Rate
Sara
As we make our way to the dining room, I take in the house.
It’s lavishly decorated. The materials are all the finest quality in muted, luxurious tones.
At the long wooden table, Finn pulls out my chair for me.
When I sit, he pushes the chair back in.
Dante sits on my other side and Wyatt sits beside him.
Drew takes the end of the table next to Wyatt.
The dress fits like a glove, and it’s a little creepy how well the guys’ suits fit them. I keep looking at the employees to see if I can figure out which is the one who can figure out sizes. But no one actually looks at any of us. They’re meant to be silent statues until needed.
That’s the one thing we didn’t have growing up: employees. Mom had a housekeeper who came in once a week. And a cook who shopped and prepared for us weekly, but otherwise, we were a normal household compared to this.
Verity’s house was like this. I went over a time or two. It always felt so cold, sterile. I felt sorry for her back then. To have to live in that place without the warmth of my mother to fill it.
After a few minutes of silence, Tom and Natasha appear in the doorway. They walk to the other side of the table where there are two place settings. Tom holds out the chair for Natasha and helps her slide in before taking his seat.
Tom meets my eyes. Which, if he heard any of that earlier, I wouldn’t think he’d be able to.
I know I wouldn’t be able to look into his eyes if I heard him and Natasha going at it.
And if Wyatt does what he whispered in my ear on the way down here, fucking me against the joining wall knowing I’m not able to keep quiet, I definitely won’t be able to meet Tom’s eyes across the breakfast table.
Before they showed us our rooms, Finn talked briefly to all of us so Tom and Natasha would know what’s going on.
Natasha can’t possibly be comfortable here. This is her father’s enemy’s home. When her brown eyes collide with mine, I give her a reassuring smile. Sure, her father kidnapped me and held me hostage while using my dog as a ransom note, but that’s not all her fault. Not entirely.
If she and Tom weren’t runners, that never would have happened to me. It burns through me like lava in my veins. Fuck. Maybe I’m still not over it. Maybe I’ll never get over it. But I will move on from it. It’s just going to take time.
I have months to work on it, and for Tom to sufficiently grovel, to leave it in the past before their baby is born. The baby didn’t have anything to do with it, so I can smother it with my love even if I haven’t fully forgiven Tom.
“Any idea what the plan for tonight is?” Tom’s gaze locks on Finn.
“Nope.” Finn leans back in his chair, looking completely relaxed and gorgeous in his three-piece suit. Different from the one this morning. Does his father just keep clothes on hand? Can I ask him that? Would that be rude? Or impertinent?
“Great.” Tom runs a hand through his hair, messing it up.
Natasha reaches over to brush it back into place. The way Tom’s face lights up makes my heart beat a little louder. They really do love each other. I’m happy Tom found someone to love, but at what price? And did that price really need to be paid?
If they’d gone to Peter and told him everything, would things have gone differently?
“Don’t get up, gentlemen.” Colin walks into the room and takes the chair at the head of the table next to Tom and Finn. “Ladies, it’s a pleasure to see you this evening. My dinners aren’t usually so colorful.”
Natasha’s dress is a pale blue in a similar style to mine. “Thank you for the clothes, sir.”
Colin sits back with his winsome smile and sparkling green eyes. “I appreciate a fine dining experience. It wouldn’t do to leave my guests in their pajamas.”
I tilt my head. Did they not get their things from the estate like we did?
Colin nods toward the staff and suddenly a flurry of activity erupts around us. Plates are set in front of us along with our wineglasses being filled. This feels normal and not at the same time. I’ve been to plenty of dinner parties at my parents’ friends’ houses.
But usually we aren’t taken in the middle of the night to get there. I cross my legs and wait. When the servers retreat, Colin holds up his wineglass.
Instinctually, I reach for mine and lift it as well. We’re all trained for this, so everyone does.
“To happy futures for all of you.” He tips his glass toward Finn with a smile before drinking.
We all take a sip. Well, all except Finn who drinks about half of his wine. That doesn’t really instill confidence in me. I reach beneath the table for his hand and tangle our fingers together. He squeezes my hand and sets the wineglass down.
The temptation to draw his head to mine and check to make sure everything is all right burns inside me, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. Instead, I just hold his hand, letting him know I’m here for him.
Colin lifts his fork, indicating it’s time to begin eating the salad before us. The sound of forks brushing fine china fills the room.
“Ms. Sokolov.” Colin looks at Natasha.
“Mrs. Morris.” Tom lifts her hand with the diamond set I haven’t had a chance to admire yet to his lips and brushes a kiss over her knuckles. “Newly wed.”
“Pardon me.” Colin leans back in his chair and studies them like a predator studies its prey.
My pulse picks up the pace. We may not be in danger here, but are my brother and his wife?
“It was my understanding that you were promised to Alexander Petrov.”
Natasha straightens. “I was, but that wasn’t my wish. It was my father’s.”
Colin nods and takes a bite of his salad, looking thoughtful. “It’s interesting that this generation doesn’t want to toe the line.”
His gaze flicks to Finn, but Finn just takes another swallow of wine.
Colin shakes his head and returns his gaze to Natasha. “Alexander still wants to take over your father’s business. That will be easier with your dad behind bars.”
Natasha swallows and her hand covers her stomach. “There should be enough evidence to take him in too.”
Colin laughs and it’s bright and cheerful. Not like this subject. We’re all still in danger until the rest of Sokolov’s men are arrested. We know that. But what is Colin implying?
“My dear child.” Colin’s tone is patronizing. “You grew up in this world. You know not everyone falls in times like these. There are protections in place. Scapegoats ready to do their duty and take the fall for someone else, as is their job. They’re just waiting for their opportunity to serve.”
Colin takes a bite. “Alexander can try to take over your father’s business. After all, he had your father’s blessing to marry you and become the head. But to do that, he needs you. Preferably without a husband.”
I gasp slightly.
Finn sighs and rubs his hand down his face. “What do we need to do to protect her?”
Colin smiles and claps his hands. The sound is loud and startling. But the servers come forward to remove our barely eaten salads and return with dinner. A small steak dripping with gravy accompanied by asparagus and a vegetable medley is set before each of us.
When the servers withdraw again, our glasses are full. Colin leans back in his chair with his wineglass.
“You would protect the woman that put the woman you love in harm’s way?” Colin looks like he wants to watch the fireworks. Like he wants to watch Finn turn on his best friend Tom. Will he? Neither Dante nor Finn are fond of Tom right now, but will Finn shove Tom under the bus?
Finn takes a deep breath and straightens. He looks over at Natasha and Tom before meeting his father’s gaze. “What Tom did was shitty.”
The room remains silent, waiting for Finn to gather his words.
What Tom did was shitty. Not just running off, but everything he did to make sure Natasha was his.
Setting up Wyatt with Verity Baron. Leaving us underprepared and in more trouble than we thought.
Getting wrapped up in a crime family and hoping to escape the consequences.
“Does he deserve to die for it though?” Finn meets Tom’s eyes and I’ve never seen Finn more serious.
He lets that hang in the air, because that’s what his father is implying.
What Tom put us through, put Wyatt through, was fucked-up, but I don’t want my brother dead because of it.
Finn’s gaze softens. He shakes his head.
“No, I don’t want Tom to die. Nor do I want his child to become another pawn in this fucking game.
So yes, I do want to protect Natasha and Tom. ”
Finn gives his father his full attention. “So tell me what it will cost me. Because nothing comes for free, even for family, isn’t that right?”
Finn stands up with a scowl on his face. He storms to the door before his father clears his throat.
“I meant what I said, Finn.” Colin sighs. “It’s hard not to play the game, but I do want to have a relationship with you where every favor doesn’t have a cost.”
Finn’s back muscles loosen and he turns to look at his father.
“Tom is family. He’s my family, with or without Sara.
No, I don’t want him dead because of his stupid, impulsive decisions.
I don’t want that for me or for Sara. I just want to live my normal life and not be involved in this world you’ve created. ”
Colin releases a breath and nods. “Please return to the table.”
Finn’s eyes meet mine and he comes back to me. He takes the chair next to me and lifts my hand to his lips. “I would do anything to keep my family safe.”
My heart warms at the look of love in his eyes. He would do anything for me and I’d do anything for him.
“We’ll do what we can to hold off Alexander and hope he gets carted off with the rest of them.” Colin rubs his chin. “But there are no guarantees. He’s a dangerous man who’s been backed into a corner. Men like that are unpredictable.”
My pulse thrums hard. That means we’re not out of danger. I knew that. Knew there would be some time before we were free and clear, but living with Tom and Natasha adds an extra level of danger I didn’t take into account.
“Alexander Petrov is a hard man.” Natasha sets her fork on her plate and sighs. “My father chose him because they think alike. Sometimes, I think he wished Alexander Petrov had been his child and not me.”
Tom takes her hand and she smiles at him.
“So we’re basically up against your father?” Dante says. “Again?”
Natasha shakes her head. “Not my father. Worse. My father loves me. That’s why it was a hard decision to turn him in. He cares for me and doesn’t want harm to come to me. Alexander isn’t that man. He cares about nothing more than power. He would do anything to hold on to it.”
Colin leans forward with his elbows on the table. “You’ll have my best men at your residence and following you. If we have an opportunity to take down Alexander, we will.”
“For how long?” Dante asks. His hand slides onto my thigh beneath the table. I take his hand, letting his calm wash over me.
“As long as it takes.” Colin smiles and his eyes find mine. “Let’s eat this delicious meal and have dessert. Tomorrow will be soon enough to discuss logistics.”
I lift my fork and meet Natasha’s eyes across the table. We need to know everything there is to know about Alexander Petrov so we aren’t caught off guard. I won’t be a victim or used as leverage again.